Mamata joins chorus for actor Sanjay Dutt's pardon

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee (File photo)

West Bengal chief minister on Monday said actor Sanjay Dutt, sentenced to five years' imprisonment under the Arms Act in the 1993 Mumbai blast case, had suffered enough and did not deserve any more.

"Though it is not in my hand, I feel he has already suffered a lot for the blunder he committed earlier. From complete wreck, he has again picked up his career to unfold his potential," the Trinamool Congress chief wrote on Facebook.

Sanjay, who has already undergone 18 month's imprisonment, will have to serve the remaining term if he does not get a pardon.

Banerjee is the first CM to back Sanjay. She recounted her close ties with his father, late Sunil Dutt, a successful actor and politician. "Today, I fondly remember Sunil Dutt ji. He used to come to my residence whenever he was in Calcutta. If he were alive, he would have no doubt made all efforts to see that Sanjay does not suffer any more. My heart echoes the same sentiments."

SENA against clemency

Shiv Sena opposed the move to pardon Sanjay Dutt on Monday saying it would send a wrong message to the society.

Speaking in the Legislative Council in Maharashtra, Sena MLC Neelam Gorhe said, "There should not be a rethink on the SC's verdict. It will send a wrong message to the society ..."

Incidentally, the then Congress MP Sunil Dutt and father of Sanjay, had turned to Sena supremo Bal Thackeray to ensure that his son got some relief after he was arrested and jailed under the stringent TADA.

The BJP has already opposed the demand for relief to Dutt, saying law should be the same for everyone.(with PTI inputs)